Hutchinsons is urging growers not to overlook T3 fungicides this season, as late disease
pressure and uneven nutrient uptake threaten both yield and grain quality in cereals.
Agronomy Innovation Director David Howard says T3 has become increasingly important,
especially after seasons such as 2024, when late disease flare-ups quickly cut crop potential.
“Growers cannot afford to let rust or septoria take out upper leaves before grain fill,” he
says. “In milling wheats, maintaining green leaf area is also key to moving protein into the
ear.”
Rusts, ear disease and resistance pressure
T3 remains vital for fusarium, microdochium and sooty moulds, but Mr Howard says rust
control also deserves close attention. Breakdown of Yr15 resistance in some varieties,
together with strong brown rust pressure earlier this spring, may leave crops more exposed
later on.
He also highlights concerns about increasing SDHI resistance in brown rust populations,
which could reduce the effectiveness of earlier fungicide programmes.
Many T3 products that protect against ear disease also perform well on rusts, he notes, and
where a strobilurin remains available it can be a useful addition. Traditional azole-based
programmes, such as prothioconazole plus tebuconazole, remain cost-effective in lower-risk
situations, while stronger septoria or rust pressure may justify more robust options.
For premium milling wheat, higher-rate programmes may bring extra value through better
fusarium control and grain quality protection, but growers must stay within mode of action
limits.
Supporting the crop with late nutrition
Alongside disease control, Crop Nutrition Specialist Rob Jewers says late-season nutrition
can help preserve green leaf area, support grain fill and improve protein content.
He recommends tissue testing 10–14 days before T3 to identify any late micronutrient
deficiencies, with zinc and boron often showing up as limiting factors.
Interest in foliar nitrogen has also increased after a dry spring reduced uptake of soil-applied
N. Mr Jewers says methylene urea products are gaining attention because they are efficient,
low scorch risk and compatible with T3 fungicides.
He adds that earlier foliar nitrogen around T3 can help extend greening and support yield in
both feed and milling wheats, while later liquid nitrogen still has a place where milling
protein is the priority. Hutchinsons also reminds growers to complete the AHDB mycotoxin
risk assessment before applying any T3 where grain is intended for human consumption.
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